Quote:
Originally posted by Paradise359
Well my father is a dentist & I didn't want to follow in his footsteps until my junior year in college. I've taken the Dental Admissions Test studying halfheartedly, done my science courses without putting in much effort and I KNOW that I can do better. I just don't want to. I work in my father's dental practice & tell everyone I want to be a dentist b/c I thought I did. But it came to me after prayer & true self observation.... I don't want to be a dentist. I really want to do law. I don't know the first thing about what kind of law, but I feel as if this is what I'm meant to be. My mind is always playing devil's advocate, I'm a stickler for doing things right & lawfully. I can argue a point supurbly & I don't like to speak until I have all of my facts in order.
As a matter of fact my father always said he thought I would be a lawyer. I'm waiting for the right moment to tell everyone "nevermind".
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Soror Paradise!!!
My father's a dentist TOO!!! And yeah, he wanted me to "follow in his footsteps". And yeah, I worked in his office... But HAYLE NAW I NEVER EVAR took the DAT and he got me into University of SoCal's Dental School--all expenses paid after I graduated!!!
But I chose to pursued my dream of becoming a scientist because understanding the basic molecular mechanisms of human disease intrigued me and excited me. As such as pursued a Ph.D. and it was difficult to say the least. Although my family thoroughly supported me, I had no "mentors" in the field--I knew of no one in my area that actively did biomedical research that could guide me into my track. Hence, it took me a lonnnggggg time to get my degree... But I got it... And I achieved my goal.
The issue now is what's next... It's publish or perish. NIH budgets are cut way down. It's dog eat dog for private funding. etc. etc. etc.
I'd be better off with a clinical degree--MD or DDS... But, I like I said a long time ago, I don't have the "patience for the patients"--like what do you do when you get a patient that comes in and his or her teeth ITCH?
... My father says he scratches them...
Anyhow, you ACTIVELY pursue your dream and do not defer your dream. Because YOU are the one that must live your life. NO ONE ELSE...
And although I may have no job, no funding, no help in a year if this crisis in funding continues, I will still have knowledge in my head and I can put it to good use in ways I have not previously considered. That is what getting a higher education is all about!!! We have to be multi-talented!!!